Stop the benefit handouts to convicted criminals

NEW figures showing that a huge proportion of convicts are on benefits when they offend provide more evidence that Britain’s welfare state is just not working.

Published: 00:01, Fri, January 31, 2014

The benefits system was meant to be a safety net for those who fall on hard times [GETTY]

The benefit system was conceived as a safety net for decent people who had fallen temporarily on hard times.

Yet a large underclass of antisocial people, who have seldom if ever paid into the system, has been permitted to plunder welfare resources.

It does not take a hardened cynic to worry that a criminal on benefits is likely to spend the money on drink, drugs or gambling rather than upon feeding, clothing and housing his children.

The time has come for welfare support to be split into two classes: generous but time-limited cash payments for those who have paid into the system and vouchers limited to food and other basics for those who have not.